Centrifugal separator



March 3, 1953 s. 1 .'ABBOTT CENTRIFUGAL SEFRATOR Filed July 19, 1947 @fw fm Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to improvements in a centrifuge of the type having a heavy liquid such :as mercury therein adapted to effect discharge of Aa separated component of the material undergoing centrifuging. In my copending application Serial No. 762,138, iiled July 19, 1947 (since abandoned) there is illustrated a centrifuge in which a substantially cylindrical container is mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis,

vthe container having end walls through one of which the liquid to be centrifuged may be introduced and the other of which has discharge openings therein through which a separated one of the components may be discharged. Discharge is effected by a heavy liquid within the container between its peripheral wall and the `liquid being centrifuged the Volume of which heavy liquid may be increased at Will to raise the level of the centrifuged liquid to a point at which it will begin to flow through the discharge openings. As thus constructed discharge of each separated component of the liquid being centrifuged is effected solely at one end of the container and the lateral flow of the liquid separated component toward the discharge end within a given layer may cause some turbulence in the underlying layer of liquid and hence may spoil the separation to such an extent as to drag some of the subjacent layers with it through the discharge openings. in addition, in use of a heavy liquid to force the heavier of the separated components, for instance separated dirt, along the length of a centrifuge to an end thereof, a

substantial head of the heavy liquid is required to promote the necessary low oi this component v being discharged, resulting in possibility of undesired discharge of some of the heavy liquid from the container along with the intentionally discharged component.

An object of this invention is to provide centrifuging apparatus wherein there will be no lateral iiow of a separated component of the liquid relative to a subjacent layer toward one end while in contact with the subjacent liquid,

the discharge being eifected throughout the en- Other objects are to provide a aforesaid copending application wherein the 'heavy liquid may be required to force the corresponding separated component to an end of the rotating container.

In the apparatus illustrated in this present application provision is made for discharge of a separated component, throughout the length of the rotating container, without any need for such separated component being forced to travel any substantial distance along the length -of the rotating container, and provision is also made for separately conducting a lighter separated component, which lies nearer to the axis, lengthwise of the rotating container for discharge at an end thereof.

Accordingly and as illustrated herein the container is generally cylindrical in form and has in its peripheral wall one or more longitudinally extending recesses formed by inwardly directed spaced converging walls joined near the-axis of the container, In these walls near the axis of rotation are rows of spaced discharge apertures extending from end to end of the container through which a given layer of a separated component of the centrifuged liquid may be displacing the body of liquid within the container be discharged inwardly into the recess. Surrounding the container is a chamber within which the container is free to rotate for collecting the component of the liquid discharged into the recess, the bottom wall of the chamber being sloped and vhaving a discharge aperture at its lowest point.

A second row of spaced discharge apertures may be formed in the converging walls lengthwise thereof spaced inwardly from the first row for discharging a superincumbent layer of the centrifuged liquid and when such is the case'a web is formed between the inwardly converging walls in the recess and spaced from their junction forming together therewith a longitudinal' passage running lengthwise of the container with which the apertures of the inner row are in communication. At one end of the container a radial passage is formed in the end wall and is connected at one end by a branch passage to the aforesaid longitudinal passage and at its opposite end by a branch passage to the exterior of the container. As illustrated a second chamber surrounds the container at this end and it is with this chamber that the second branch passage is in communication for delivering the separated component which passes through the inner row of apertures into the longitudinal passage to the chamber.

While there is a comparatively sharp separation between the layers of the various components of the liquid being centrifuged there may because of the flow f the liquid in a given layer through the discharge apertures, be a slight disturbance which may carry over into an adjacent layer. To minimize this disturbance there is disposed on the inside of the converging walls between the rows of the apertures a partition or darn having apron-likeportions projecting in opposite directions, the outwardly projecting apron overlying the outward apertures but spaced therefrom. The aprons tend to isolate and hence to separate the turbulent portions of the liquid immediately adjacent to the discharge apertures' from the static liquid so that there is a minimum of` interlayer disturbance.

The invention will now be described. with refierence to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through` the centrifuge which` forms the subject-matter of' the present invention, showing the centrifuge as if rotating with the mercury lining entirely around its inner-peripheral wall;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the passages for introducing the wool' scouring liquor to the container and passages for discharging part or" the separated components;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the centrifuge as ii inrotation and the position of the various layers of centrifuged liquid;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section similar to 3 showing the centrifuge-partially emptied; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View taken longitudinally of the centrifuge on thel line 5 5' or 4 with the dam omitted.

This invention is concerned primarilyl -with. apparatus,l for centrifuging wool scouring liquor to separate the wool grease and soap fats therein from-the water and dirt so-that the comparatively valuable by-products of wool greaseand soap fat may economically be recovered. Such separation from the water and dirt from thewool grease and soap fat can readily be accomplished because of the comparatively wide diierence in respective densities which results in separation of various components into distinct layers of dirt, water, wool grease and soap fat in the order named,

the dirt being outermost andthe grease and iat being innermost.

The apparatus for accomplishing the separation of theabove mentioned constituents from Wool scouring liquor is shown in Fig. l as coinprising a cylindrical receptacle orl container` lD y mounted for rotation about the longitudinal' axis of' a horizontally disposed spindle I2, the latter being xed at its opposite ends by set screws I4 and lain uprights |.8 and 2G which together form the base ofthe frame for the machine.

The opposite ends of the container have end walls 22 and 24' having central openings 2E and 28 therein through which pass the ends of the spindle |'2 and bordering these openings are laterally extending flanges 38' and 32. Interposed between the flanges 3Q and 32 and the spindle for rotatably supporting the container thereon are ball bearing assemblies 34 and 35. Rotation of the container is'enected'by pulley 33 xed to the nange 32.

The container IB is generally cylindrical in form but has formed in. its peripheral surface diametrically arranged inwardly directed recesses 40 having inwardly directed spaced converging YWalls 42 joined at their inner ends by webs 44,

these webs being spaced from the spindle l2 so as not to interfere with free rotation of the container and substantially concentric with its surface. As thus formed the container is divided into two substantially segmental shaped chambers separated from each other by the walls 42 but in communication with each other near the axis of rotation by way of the spaces between the webs and the spindle l2.. Formed in the walls 42 are spaced parallelv rows of apertures 4B and 48 through which the separated layers oi centrifuged liquor within the container may be discharged, these spaced apertures being so arranged that two separated components may be discharged at the same time if desired and co1- lected in different chambers. To this end webs iii)` are` formed between the walls 42 within the recesses 4i) which join these walls and extend lengthwise of the container. These webs are spaced from the inner webs 44 and form therewith longitudinally extending passages 521 with which the apertures 43 of the inner rows are in communication. The apertures 45 ofthe outer rows open inte the recesses@ outwardly of the webs 5S. By raising the level of theA body of liquor being centrifuged within the container l) the various component layers may be caused to be discharged through the apertures 4G. and 48 and by properly controlling the inward displacement of the body of liquor as a wholethe innermost layer may be caused to be discharged through the. apertures. 46, Fig. 4, or the innermoet layer mayv be caused to be. discharged through thexapertures 48 and thesubjacent layer through the aperture 45', Fig. 3. It will be observed that the. longitudinally extending recessor indentation 4U, as denedby wall portions 42, 4-2 and 5G, is essentially openv outwardly' atthe periphery of the container, so that separated material discharged thereinto through any of the apertures 43 will be; immediately flung outwardly, free from the rotatable container. This immediate outward discharge is, facilitated by the outward :dare or divergence of the wall portions 42, 42.

Such lighter separated materiales may be dis.- charged. into the longitudinally extending passage 52 through the apertures 48 is collected separately from the material flung outwardly through. the open recesses dfi.

Suitable collection chambers, surroundingv the rotatable container, are provided for receiving theseparated components. The component discharged through the apertures e8 into the longitudinal passage 52 is conducted from one end thereof through the end wall 22 by a series of connected passages including a branch passage 54', Fig. 2, a radial passage 56, connected at one end thereto and a branch passage 58 connected to the opposite end thereof. The branch passage opens into a chamber surrounding the end of the container, the latter having a discharge passage 62 at its bottom. The component discharged through the apertures 46' is thrown radially outwardly through the recesses 40 and is collected in a chamber E4 surrounding the container IB and within which it is free to rotate, this chamber extending substantially the entire length of the container and having a sloping lower wall SS in which there is formed an aperture 68 to which there is connected a dran1 oi pipe Til.

To effect discharge of a given layer of the centrifuged liquor from the container there is disposed therein a body of liquid mercury Hg, this mercury being introduced to the container at one' "M are connected at their inner ends to an annular groove 'i6 formed in the surface of the end wall 24 at the opening 28 through which the spindle |2 passes. The groove 'I6 in turn is connected by a diametrically formed passage 11 in the spindle to a longitudinally extending passage 16 therein running through the spindle to the outer end thereof. Hence the passage I8 is always directly connected to the interior of the container. A nipple 80 is threaded into the open end of the passage 18, the latter being connected by a pipe 82 to a pump 84. The pump 84 is supported by legs 86 and normally serves to supply a continuous stream of mercury to the container. In the peripheral wall of the container adjacent to the end wall there are formed apertures S5 through which the mercury is continuously drawn oi into a chamber 86 surrounding this end of the container and from which this mercury is conducted by a conduit 88 to a sump 96 located below the pump 84, the former being connected to the latter by a vertical pipe 92. The aforesaid apertures 85 provide for continually drawing oi the mercury from the container and by regulating the delivery of mercury to the container to just 2'- equal that drawn off through the apertures, constant level of mercury may be maintained within the container.

Initially a small body of mercury is maintained in the container that is just enough to form a continuous layer or lining around the entire peripheral wall of the container while rotating. The liquor to be centrifuged is fed into the container as will appear hereinafter onto this layer of mercury. In order to eifect discharge of a separated layer of the centrifuged liquor, that is the innermost layer, the volume of mercury supplied to the container is increased thereby to decrease the eifective inside volume of the container. 'I'o this end a bypass 94 is interposed between the pipes 82 and 88 in which there is a valve 96 which may be partially closed to cause a greater or lesser amount of the mercury to be delivered to the container. By properly setting the opening of the valve the volume of the mercury supplied to the container may be increased beyond that which is drawn on" so that it raises the level of the whole body of liquor within the container pushing the innermost layer past the apertures 46 and 48 whereupon it begins to flow through the apertures. By properly controlling the volume of mercury only the innermost layer of liquor may be caused to be discharged through the apertures 46. By increasing the volume of mercury the innermost layer may be caused to flow out of the apertures 48 and the subjacent layer out of the apertures 46 thus recovering two different components at the same time.

While the separation between the Various layers of the centrifuged material is quite definite, the flow of the liquid through the apertures may cause some turbulence within the layer adjacent to the apertures which tends to stir up the liquid, and hence to minimize this there is placed between the rows of apertures, partitions or dams 98 having apron-like portions |00 and |02. The aprons extend in opposite directions and the apron |00 overlies the apertures 46, thus isolating the turbulent portions of the liquor adjacent 6 to the apertures from the static portions more remote therefrom.

The liquor may be continuously or intermittently delivered to the container through a pipe |04 threaded into the open end of a longitudinal passage |06 in the spindle I2. The passage |06 is connected at its inner end to an annular groove 968 formed in the inner surface of the end wall 22 and spindle i2 at the opening 2t which in turn is connected to radial passages ||0 formed in the end wall and opening at their outer ends into the container lli.

In operation the container ||J is set in motion and the valve 96 is suiiiciently closed to allow a quantity of mercury to be delivered into the container to cover the entire peripheral wall lwhereupon the valve is adjusted to maintain this layer at a constant depth. Then liquor is introduced through the pipe |04 to the interior of the container onto the mercury lining until the containeris lled substantially to the apertures 46. Thereafter the charging of the liquor is discontinued and the container is allowed to rotate until a distinct separation of the various components takes place. Following the separation of the components into layers, the valve Q6 is a little more nearly closed to increase the volume of mercury delivered to the container and to raise the body of the liquor so as to bring the innermost layer in line with the apertures 46 or the two innermost layers in line respectively with the apertures 48 and 46, whereupon the components begin to discharge into the chambers 64 and 60. When the innermost layer has been ycompletely drawn off, the volume of mercury may again be increased to discharge the water and dirt. Alternatively the operation may be continuous in that liquor may be continually introduced as the separated components are discharged, but such operation is ultimately limited by the accumulation of the water and dirt to such an extent as completely to iill the container up to the apertures 46. When this occurs, the charging of liquor must be discontinued and the container emptied of the water and dirt.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A centrifuge comprising a rotatable container of generally cylindrical shape arranged to constitute the exterior confining means for the body of material undergoing centrifugal action, the container including wall portions extending inwardly from its periphery and dening a longitudinally extending indentation into the main body of the container. a connection for establishing a heavy liquid lining, of material other than that under treatment, against the generally cylindrical periphery of the container as interrupted by said inwardly extending wall portions, the indentation being essentially open outwardly and the container being provided with discharge passage means affording communication between the main body of the container and said indentation along the length of the container at a radius spaced inwardly from the periphery of the container for flow of a radially separated component from the main body of the container into said indentation, said discharge passage means being at a distance inwardly from said generally cylindrical periphery such as to permit accumulation of a substantialeradial-depth of material under treatment, between theheavy liquid lining and the. discharge passagey means, while:- said radially separated component flows through the'discharge passage means,the centrifuge. including control mechanism adapted to increasevand decrease the-depth of the heavy liquid lining, whereby periodically. the material accumulated. between: the lining and said' discharge passage means may be forced radially inwardly, and thereby caused toflow through said discharge passage means at variousilocationsfalong the length of the` container.

2; A centrifuge comprising a rotatablev con.- tainer of generally cylindrical.shaper arranged to constitute the exterior confining means for. the bodyr of material undergoing centrifugal. action, thecontainer including wall portions extending inwardly from its periphery and dening a lon.-

gitudinally extending. indentationV into the main body. of the. container, a connection for estab- `iishing al heavy liquid lining, of material other than that under. treatment, against the generally cylindrical periphery of the container as interrupted by said inwardly extending wall portionsthe indentation being essentially open outwardly and the container being provided with discharge pas-sage means affording communication between the main body of the container and 'said indentation along the length of the container at a radius'spaced inwardly from the periphery of the container for flow of a radially separated component from the main body of the container into said indentation, said discharge passage means being at a distance inwardly from said generally cylindrical periphery such as to permit accumulation of a substantial radial depth ofY material under treatment, between the heavy liquid lining and the discharge passage means, While said radially separated component flows through the discharge passage means, the container having an opening located at a greater radius than said discharge passage means and in communication with said heavy liquid lining, and mechanism for supplying said heavy liquid to said connection at a variable rate, whereby periodically the material accumulated between the lining and said discharge passage means may be forced radially inwardly, and thereby caused to ow through said discharge passage means at various locations along the length of the container.

SAMUEL L. ABBOTT;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iie of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 565,197 Williams Aug. 4, 1896 576,357 Anderson Feb. 2, 1897 625,067 Schroeter May 16, 1899 823,948 Kaehl June 19, 1906 1,232,104 Sharples July 3, 1917 1,475,323 Schmucking Nov. 27, 1923 1,749,057 Armentrout Mar. 4, 1930 2,228,816 Doran Jan. 14, 1941 2,394,015 Schutte et al Feb. 5, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 614,079 Germany Feb. 22, 1936 

